A Little Downward Dog Anyone?

Have you ever found that there are moments in your life or experiences that are more sobering than others? Sobering in the sense that that moment not only grabs your attention but makes you feel alive, alert, and on top of the world? A natural high, if you will. I feel this way every time I go for a run outdoors and every time I travel. These are experiences that stick out in my mind so vividly that I can recall them as if they happened yesterday.

I also feel this way when I practice yoga. What I love most about yoga is how it is both physically challenging and spiritually rejuvenating. I feel like I get a workout and therapy session all in one. I wouldn’t call myself an avid yogi, however, I do try to practice any chance I get.

Recently, I saw this video that reaffirmed my appreciation for yoga and why I find it so inspiring.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=loszrEZvS_k

"The quality of life does not depend on happiness alone, but also on what one does to be happy." Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

Spinach Smoothie

I’ve never been one to snack after dinner, but I admit in the evenings I often find myself thinking of what I’ll eat for breakfast the following morning – not because I'm hungry, but because it's my favorite meal. And, why shouldn’t it be? It can potentially set the tone for the remainder of the day.

A few weeks back, I’d been perusing a recipe site online and came across a smoothie recipe that called for spinach. While not my favorite green, I know it is a super food  - packed with vitamin K and A - and I should eat it. 

Hesitantly, I bought all the ingredients I'd need for my morning experiment - bananas, yogurt, frozen berries, milk and spinach. The next morning, I packed all the ingredients into the blender and hit blend - making sure to mix the soon-to-be smoothie long enough that all evidence of spinach bits were fully ground up. 


The result was pleasantly surprising - the drink was green, but I couldn't actually taste the spinach. It's been about two months since I first tried making a spinach smoothie and I'm hooked! I've tried various fruits, milk and yogurt, but the following recipe is my favorite of the combos. 


Spinach Smoothie
(Makes 1 serving)


1/2 c.  1% milk
2 heaping spoonfuls plain Greek yogurt
1 banana
1/3 c. fresh organic strawberries, washed
1 c. fresh organic baby spinach, washed
Dash of vanilla extract

Place all ingredients in the blender and blend for about 30 seconds or until smooth. Enjoy!

Oregon Wine Country